... and £2m election warning
ANN Barnes, chairman of Kent Police Authority, says that the election of a police and crime com- missioner in Kent could cost taxpayers up to £2 million. The Government has outlined plans to replace
the KPA(and its equivalents throughout the coun- try) by May 2012 with an elected individual re- sponsible for holding police to account. Mrs Barnes currently undertakes this role in conjunction with nine elected councillors and eight independent members. Through calculations by the Local Government Association (LGA), she has estimated that elec- tion costs could be the equivalent of employing
keen gardener. Widowed in 2005, Connie leaves her daughter and one granddaughter, Rebecca.
Ron Forster RON Forster (76), the son of a Maidstone boat-builder, has died in Canada after a short ill- ness. He was the eldest of three children born to Win and Grif- fiths Forster, of College Av- enue. Ron was ed- ucated
at
Maidstone Grammar School and gained a schol- arship
to
Gonville & Caius College, Cam- bridge. He initially read mathe- matics but graduated in economics. He was a keen athlete and
was awarded several blues for long distance running. Ron did his National Service
in the RAF after qualifying as a chartered accountant. In 1964 he emigrated to
Toronto. Ron is survived by his widow Janet and their sons, Gavin and Timothy
ValmaiWood VALMAI Patricia Wood (74) of Barming was leader of the Girl Guides in her local area for many years. The mother-of-four was also
known for herwarmth and hos- pitality, frequently hosting a houseful of children. Atalented artist, amember of
the local PTA and noted gar- dener, Valmai is survived by her widower, Gerald, and chil- dren Raine, Alison, John and Simon.
Maurice Bristow MAURICE Bristow MBE (77), of Leeds, was described by his widow Iris, as “a man who
around 50 police officers. Mrs Barnes said: “Policing and Crime Commis- sioners will cost taxpayers. I do not think that now is the time to be putting money that we haven’t got into an uncosted proposal that lacks clarity and detail. “At best this is a rebranding exercise, as the commissioner is expected to have exactly the same role and powers as our existing Police Au- thority.” There are also plans to introduce a police and
crime panel to oversee the work of the commis- sioner. Every KPAmember, with the exception of one, was strongly opposed to the proposal.
We will remember
loved his village and knew he had lived a wonderful life”. Maurice began work at Leeds
Castle before completing Na- tional Service and returning home to work on the family smallholding. He met Iris and knew he needed a better-paid job to af- ford to marry and set up home so he returned to Leeds Castle. After 42 years, he retired as gar- dens, grounds and golf man- ager. He was made an MBE 10 years ago for his services to Leeds Castle and the commu- nity of Leeds. Maurice remained passionate
about his work and met many notable people, including three meetings with the Queen. Iris
said:
“Maurice loved the vil- lage and was involved in many local concerns. He played tennis, cricket and squash and was a member of Bearsted Golf Club. His brother Malcolm was groundsman for The Mote cricket ground.” Father to Michael and Adrian, Maurice served for 27 years on the parish council, in- cluding a time as chairman. He was a school governor, trustee of the cricket ground andmem- ber of the village hall commit- tee.
Maurice leaves his widow, children and four grandchil- dren.
Kathleen Adgie KATHLEEN Adgie (nee Pantony) was born into a well- known farming family, and helped out by delivering milk, cheese and butter. Her family
Albany Funerals
(Independent Local Funeral Director)
lived near Boxley Road and farmed land including that now occupied by Maidstone Bar- racks. She married Roy, whom she
had known since childhood, in 1941. They moved for a few years to Ipswich until Roy se- cured work for Alabaster Pass- more Printing and they returned to live inWood- land Way, Penenden Heath, their home for 48 years.
Kathleen
raised Janet, Yvonne, Graham andMargaret. Son Graham said: “The many tributes we have received talk about how kindly, gentle and gracious she was. She was al- ways smiling.” Despite moving to Derbyshire
to be near two of her daughters in 1997, Kathleen stayed in touch with her roots and had Maidstone newspapers posted to her.
Kathleen, who died aged 93, leaves her widower, her chil- dren, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Terry Mason THE sudden death of Maid- stone’s Terry Dean Mason (23) shocked his friends and family. Terry, who died from natural causes, will be remembered for his love of life and sense of hu- mour. Knowntomanyas‘BigT,’
Terry leaves his partner Becky and two young children. On a memorial networking
site, which has had more than 700 visitors, one tribute said: “You were such an amazing person. Your sudden death has left a hole in so many people’s
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Oliver makes it to
dressage finals LOCAL rider and trainer Oliver Walter (21), from Cobham Manor Equestrian Centre in Thurnham, has made it through to the last eight of the British Dressage Young Professionals Competition from a field of 500. This national talent-spotting competition recognises talent, hard work, training abilities and horsemanship in the field of dressage. Two of the eight riders will be selected for the final in March.
hearts. All your family miss you so much. No one can ever replace you. I know you’re up there. I bet you’ve got the biggest wings just so you get noticed! And I know you’re looking down on Becs and your two beautiful children, Leah and Tidds, keeping them safe.”
Colin James COLIN David James (78) had lived in Loose Road for 27 years, and had previously lived in Chapman Avenue, off Will- ington Street. Born in Rochester, he fol-
lowed a career in the construc- tion industry, working for many years in site management, in- cluding spells on major build- ing projects in and around Maidstone such as the Grove Green estate and the Crown Court building. He worked for a number of firms including Wimpey Homes. Colin was father to Simon
and Kingsley and stepfather to Janet, Kim and Julie. Hiswidow Jean said: “He was
a very generous and happy man. We met playing bad- minton at Larkfield and Colin enjoyed playing and watching badminton, and watching ten- nis. He also loved gardening and being with his family.” Colin leaves hiswidow, chil-
dren, stepchildren, nine grand- children and three great- granddaughters.
The Stone Shop Memorials. Any natural stone supplied, lettered and installed anywhere. Inscriptions added to existing memorials Renovations and memorial cleaning
The Stone Shop Station Hill, East Farleigh, Kent.
01622 726633
01622 746688
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